Reality TV

Michelle Duggar is convinced ... child predators are aiming to use the cover of being a transgender to hurt children ... and she's determined to stop them in their tracks.

The "19 Kids and Counting" star is on the warpath against a proposed Arkansas law that would allow transgender people to use either the men's or women's bathroom -- whichever they feel suits them best.

Duggar thinks convicted male child molesters will have a field day if the law passes ... simply dressing up like a woman and perving out in girls restrooms.

Julianne Hough has learned a hard lesson about the movie biz ... it ain't that easy, so she's returning to "Dancing with the Stars" but this time as a judge ... TMZ has learned.

Sources connected with the show tell us ... they've made an offer to Julianne to become the 4th judge ... the other 3 are coming back. We're told the 2 sides are in negotiations and are expected to make the deal.

Julianne left the show years ago to pursue an acting and singing career, but it's been rough going ... particularly "Rock of Ages" and "Footloose."

We're told her commitment to DWTS is only a couple of hours a week, so she'll still pursue acting.

10:27 A.M. PDT -- We're told Brody will attend the opening ... but will no longer give 1-on-1 interviews.

Brody Jenner needs to get a grip ... he's courting the media to interview him and only one thing is off limits ... the thing people care about.

Brody's promoting the opening of a Dave & Buster's in Hollywood ... and is courting the media for 1-on-1 interviews ... but we're told any talk about the Kardashians/Jenners is out of bounds.

Why he skipped Kim's wedding? ... Next question.

Why he hung Bruce out to dry on the PCH? ... Nice try.

His love/hate relationship with Kris? ... Uhhh, no.

Oh, you can ask him about the 7 "Keeping Up The Kardashians" episodes on which he appeared ... just avoid bringing up Kim, Khloe, Kourtney, Kylie, Kendall or Kris. You know, pretty much anybody else on the show whose name begins with "K."

Now the list of what's left to talk about that's interesting.

The biggest backstabbing villain at "Big Brother" isn't Ariana Grande's brother, Frankie -- or any of the other contestants -- it's the CBS honchos who run the voting ... according to a new lawsuit.

A guy named Edwin Lyda claims he invented the system for text message voting and says he holds the patents to that system. He claims CBS jacked his invention and uses it each week on BB.

On the show, viewers vote in various ways -- by telephone, online, with a phone app or text messaging. The votes don't determine who stays or goes ... it's for things like who should win bonus prizes or who should get special perks in the house.

Lyda says his system for text voting is a big part of the show ... he wants a court to decide how much of BB's millions he's entitled to get ... then again, he could get nothing.

Kylie Jenner is full of BS by claiming she was rear-ended by a reckless driver Thursday ... because the other driver says she not only caused the crash but copped an attitude.

As we first reported ... the 17-year-old was driving her brand new Range Rover when -- according to her -- a woman swerved into her lane and rear-ended her.

But the woman's lawyer says what REALLY happened is that Kylie made an illegal U-ey with no warning and crashed into oncoming traffic.

The accident was so bad ... the lawyer -- Gary Daglian -- says his client's passenger ended up in the hospital.

If Nicole Murphy were in the NBA she'd lead the league in rebounds.

Murphy and some young mystery man hit up Moonshadows in Malibu for lunch Saturday just days after reuniting with Michael Strahan for lunch Thursday in Beverly Hills.

And of course ... there's very handsome former NBA star Jim Jackson whom she was banging in Puerto Rico.

As we previously reported ... sources close to Strahan and Murphy told us there's a possibility for reconciliation -- so it's feasible this date was just a friendly meal.

These girls ain't loyal ... or are they?

Charlotte Hornets guard Jannero Pargo better have a good season, because he's going to need a nice new contact after a judge gave his ex Malaysia a nice support deal.

As TMZ Sports first reported, Malyasia -- who stars on the VH1 show "Basketball Wives LA" -- filed for divorce from Jannero back in May. They have 3 kids together, a 7-year-old and 3-year-old twins.

According to docs filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Malaysa (whose real name is Laquisha) was awarded primary physical custody, while the couple will share legal custody.

Jannero was ordered to pay $15,380/month in child support and another $7,500/month in spousal support. He's also been ordered to fork over $25,000 for her attorneys' fees.

Jannero recently a signed a one-year deal with the Hornets, with some reports putting his salary at a little under $1.5 million for the season.

Something's fishy with Kendra Wilkinson and Hank Baskett ... in the wake of the rumored marriage problems ... we got them on vacation together and it doesn't appear to be for show.

They were eating at a cozy beachside restaurant in Costa Rica Friday ... and the person who snapped the pic says there was no evidence of animosity ... quite the opposite.

The photog tells us they happily ate their meal with the fam without a single reality show camera in sight. Translation: They weren't putting up a front.

It doesn't track with the new trailer for their show ... where Kendra claims she flushed her wedding ring down the toilet after Hank reportedly had an affair with a transexual or two.

So, we gotta ask ...

Kendall Jenner wants to prove she's no food bill scofflaw ... which is why she not only paid for an expensive meal Tuesday -- she also left the server a big fat tip.

Kendall hit up Pearl's liquor bar in West Hollywood with Stephen Baldwin and his daughter Hailey. We're told the tab came to $554 ... and Kendall covered the whole thing ... AND left a $160 tip.

Kylie Jenner is now eligible to qualify for a demolition derby ... because she was just in yet another car crash ... TMZ has learned.

We're told the latest crash -- which occurred Thursday night as she was driving home from dinner -- resulted in thousands of dollars in damage to her brand new Range Rover.

Here's Kylie's story. She was driving home from Katsuya in Glendale when a woman in another car got cut off. She says the woman swerved into her lane and rear ended her.

The scenario is what Kylie told her parents ... so take it for what it's worth.

She has a rich, short driving history. The 17-year-old caused a multi-car crash a year ago ... 18 days after she got her license. She messed up her Mercedes SUV.

Kylie also got ticketed in January ... we're told it was for speeding.

Last month Kylie was pulled over and ticketed for tinted windows and driving with a teenager ... she's too young to have a minor alone in the car.

If you see Kylie on the road ... a sharp right onto a side street is advisable.

"Basketball Wives" star Draya Michele ditched a paid gig at a West Hollywood nightclub because there were too many "f**s and d**es" ... so claim club honchos who are now threatening to sue her.

The hostess at Penthouse Nightclub tells TMZ ... Draya was supposed to host an event Sunday. When she arrived she looked at the crowd and said she didn't want to waste her time with "f**s and d**es" and left.

Draya told us she did NOT make the homophobic comment. She says never even showed up to the club that night ... she had called them to say she had to cancel because she was sick. She says the club owner threatened to trash her in the media for being a no show.

The club fires back ... Draya accepted a $2.5K deposit, was obligated to show and the club lost money when a disappointed crowd simply left the club. The club now plans on suing her.

Draya tells us ... she'll be happy to entertain her LGBT fans on another night ... at a different club.

7:40 PM PDT -- Cops tell us Gracin is being held on a 5150 psychiatric hold. We're told he drove himself to a hospital, with a police escort, after they pulled him over. He's been cooperative, has spoken to his family ... and is being evaluated by doctors now.

5:33 PM PDT -- We're told cops intercepted Gracin on his way home and all they'll say is, "He's safe."

'American Idol' Season 2 finalist Josh Gracin had neighbors and police racing to his door ... after posting what looked like a suicide note in the wake of marital problems.

We're told cops responded to the former Marine's home in Spring Hill, TN -- where he lives with his wife and 4 kids -- for a welfare check after a family member saw an ominous Facebook post:

"I've loved her for 17 years ... I made mistakes ... I admitted them, told her the truth and she turned her back on me when I needed her help the most."

He continued, "Please remember me as someone who gave his all in his music ... Pray for my family as they carry on in this world without me. Goodbye."

Cops rushed to his house -- his wife was there but he wasn't. Law enforcement sources tell us police got in touch with him by phone, put him on with his wife, and he told her he was coming home.

Cops are staying at the home until Josh arrives.

Story developing ...

"Ultimate Survivor Alaska" star Tyler Johnson is miraculously still on the run ... after allegedly getting drunk, stealing a car, then suffering a horrific accident that should have killed him.

The unbelievable story started in typical criminal fashion ... the police report says a drunken Tyler stole a car in Anchorage 2 weeks ago and went on a joyride ... before losing control and flipping it.

Tyler wasn't wearing his seat belt and was thrown through the windshield ... and he ended up pinned under the car.

Tyler was taken to the hospital but somehow was discharged before cops were able to nab him.

Michael Strahan and Nicole Murphy had lunch together Thursday in Beverly Hills ... and our sources say there's "a possibility" of getting back together.

Michael and Nicole went to South Beverly Grill. They walked out arm-in-arm. Sources connected with the former couple tell us ... they both still have love for each other and, as one source says they'd "like to work things out."

Another source was more guarded, saying, "It was a friendly lunch. They have 7 years of history together."

Michael seemed stunned on his way out when our photog tried to get a debrief. And much to Michael's dismay, the restaurant has one of the worst, most congested parking lots in Bev Hills, so our guy peppered him with questions as he waited, including, "Who paid for lunch?"

Kendall Jenner claims she's been defamed by a waitress who said the 18-year-old threw money in her face ... and she's threatening to sue.

TMZ has obtained a letter from Kendall's lawyer, admitting Jenner was indeed at Mercer Kitchen last week and that she accidentally skipped out on the bill.

But legal pitbull Marty Singer says the rest of the waitress' story is a pack of lies. The waitress tweeted she chased Kendall down the street to get the money and Jenner threw it in her face.

Singer says in the letter ... what actually happened was that the waitress did come up to her outside but Jenner was "extremely apologetic" and gladly paid what she owed -- $33, plus a $7 tip ... which she "politely handed" to her.

Singer says, "Although you are working as a waitress at Mercer Kitchen, I understand you are also a struggling actress," adding, "You no doubt concocted a fictionalized account of your encounter with my client in order to create publicity for yourself."

"Tattoos After Dark" star Asaru Mushavu put his mark on a woman's face -- in the form of a nasty bruise -- after he cold-cocked her for no reason outside of his tattoo parlor ... according to a new lawsuit.

Corey Fortenberry claims Mushavu attacked her last year while she was helping a drunk friend who was puking in front of "House of Ink" -- the Venice tattoo shop featured on the TV show.

According to the police report, Mushavu saw the woman throwing up, came out of the shop and yelled, "What the f*** are you doing? Who the f*** is going to clean that up?" ... and then pushed Fortenberry and punched her in the face.

Fortenberry claims Mushavu left a bruise that's still visible a year later.

A rep for Mushavu tells TMZ ... it's a frivolous lawsuit and he expects it to be dismissed.